Family Best Bets

Published Saturday, June 16, 2001

A poster contest, ''My Favorite Things,'' and an essay contest, ''What My Community Means to Me'' are being sponsored by the Lincolnville Neighborhood Crime Watch. Deadline for entering is July 13 at 5 p.m.

Information is available at the United Way office, 117 Bridge St.

Planned in conjunction with the poster and essay contests is the National Night Out Talent Show. The show is Aug. 6, and entry forms are also available at the United Way building.

For further information call 829-9721.

- Swim lessons for ages 6 months through adult are being offered in two-week sessions, Monday through Thursday at 9 and 10 a.m. at the St. Augustine Family YMCA. Sessions will run until Sept. 7. Cost ranges from $25 through $75 for members and non-members. Class times will change after school closes.

Call the Y at 471-9622 for further information.

- Saturday morning guided walks will continue through the summer at Anastasia State Park. The walks begin at 9 a.m., and admission is $3.25 per car for up to 8 people or $1 per pedestrian/bicyclist. This is the regular park admission. Participation is limited so reservations are strongly suggested. Call 461-2035.

Today's topic is ''The Spanish Quarries.'' Featured June 23 will be ''Discover the Maritime Hammock,'' with Ken Ceglady as guide.

- The Ancient City Soccer League will conduct sign-ups June 23 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Ponce de Leon Mall, as one of a number of special activities this month at the mall.

Sign-up for Pop Warner Football League is June 30 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

- The Bartram Trail Branch of the St. Johns County Library summer season of story times continues through Aug. 2. Toddler time -- ages 0-3 -- is Wednesdays at 10 a.m.; Terrific 3's Thursdays at 10 a.m. and Fabulous 4's and 5's Thursdays at 11 a.m.

The Florida Library Youth Program for children in kindergarten through fifth grade will be held through Aug. 7 at 10 a.m Tuesdays. Included will be four guest performers this year. Skin and Bonz will be there Tuesday; Mad Science will be featured June 26; the Jacksonville Zoo -- animal education -- is July 24; and Nancy Kenton, puppeteer, will visit the library July 31.

- At the main branch, preschool programs are 9:30 and 10:15 a.m., Tuesdays, for 3 to 5-year-olds through July 31; toddler programs, 18 to 36-month olds, 10:15 and 11 a.m., Fridays; and elementary programs at 2 p.m. Wednesdays for kindergarten through fifth grade. Wednesday, Skin and Bonz will be guests.

- In Ponte Vedra Beach, little tykes, 5 and young, gather at 10 a.m. Thursdays through Aug. 2; and elementary programs, for kindergarten through fifth grade, are Tuesdays at 2 p.m., with Skin and Bonz appearing there Tuesday.

- Story times for children is offering a treasure of tales at Barnes and Noble, 1930 U.S. 1 South.

Monday at 7 p.m. is a junior booklover event, ''Sophie's Masterpiece.'' A second juniors' event is at 10 a.m. Wednesday, when the topic of discussion will be ''The Job of Growing Up.''

June 25 at 7 p.m., the discussion will center around ''Neatness Counts'' and June 27 at 10 a.m. the spotlight will be on ''Stories About Time.''

- Story times for children are continuing at Paperback Book Exchange, 224A San Marco Ave. Sessions are at 3 p.m., each Saturday, and guest readers will be welcomed at each session. There is no charge. Parents should accompany their children.